Catherine Lau 2F/06

(1) This image depicts a rubbish bin amongst the embracement of the trees. The rubbish bin appears to tarnish the image of the natural landscape, because its existence is like an imperfection to the entire landscape, just like man who has interfered with the balance of nature. Despite man's attempt to conquer nature and to utilise it to his advantage, man has soon become aware of the disastrous consequeneces nature might bring if measures are still not taken against them. Man has since realised in the midst of all industrial activities that the continuation of the human race is dependent on the abiotic environment. Also by placing a rubbish bin, man can be seen to undo the irreversible damage, or to prevent further harm inflicted on nature. Here, the rubbish bin is an attempt to hopefully salvage the situation. We can then infer that man is being increasingly concerned about the world that we live in.


(2) This picture shows a path leading to a pavilion in a natural landscape. In this picture, unlike the one with the dustbin, the man made structures does not seem to look out of place. On the contrary, they appear to coexist in harmony. People resting on the benches can relax and take in the breath taking scenery. People under the shelter of the pavilion also have the freedom of time to enjoy the lush green scenery. In this picture, it is the man made structures that draw humans and the nature closer. Without the path and the pavilion, there is no way man could lean so close to nature. This shows the possibility of us and nature blending in well, not necessarily meaning that man's activities are always of negative consequence to the nature. The path acts as a bridge to form the link between two different communities, which is something worth maintaining because man and nature is forced to survive on each other.


(3) This picture shows a man-made waterfall behind a plant. The plant alone will seem incomplete if it is not accompanied by the waterfall. This man made waterfall depicts one way how man tries to fit into the natural landscape by adapting to nature and that nature cannot exist alone, implying that we are dependent on each other. This again shows how man is reliant on nature to make the environment complete and how man succumbs to nature sometimes, showing that we have no constant power over nature. Man is altering his character to suit the nature of the flower. This reflects the flexibility of man which is evident in this society, where man is constantly adapting and changing himself in order to blend in with the rest or to keep up with the fast changing society. This also displays the dynamism of the human race, for we are able to change our behaviour to compete for survival.

Catherine Lau (2F/06)